Save the Rainforests or Die: That’s the Choice
by The world’s rainforests are disappearing fast and without them we may find ourselves short of oxygen. These largely unexplored areas make it possible for us to breath, with the Amazon Rainforest providing one fifth of the planet’s oxygen requirements.
Tropical rainforests are amazing systems with their own micro climates. The largest of the world’s rain forest is the Amazonian rainforest of Brazil and it is rapidly disappearing because of logging and development. It used to cover an area greater than the whole of Western Europe. In 1964 this one area of rainforest covered 6.5 million square metres. In forty five years it has decreased to 5.5million square metres.
The Amazon rain forests makes one fifth of the world’s oxygen, so its depletion is a very worrying thing for our planet. Other areas of rainforest include central Africa, Malaya and South East Asia and Australia.
Image via Wikipedia
One square mile of rainforest contain around 117 different species of plant. The uppermost layer consists of wide, tall trees like the silk cotton tree which can grow up to 41 metres high.
Image via Wikipedia
Beneath these are trees reaching approximately 24 metres high which form a kind of canopy, and then beneath these is a layer of trees that are a maximum of 12 metres tall, long and narrow because they have to reach up and make the best of the light. The trees at the 12 metre level like shade and many are covered with orchids, ferns and other flowers.
Image via Wikipedia
The layers of tree branches are so thick that the sun rarely shines through and the ground layer within the rainforest is devoid of light, and a sparse layer of stunted trees, saplings, palms and shrubs is all that can grow.
Image via Wikipedia
Attempts to replant the rainforest to combat the depletion have largely been unsuccessful because of pests and disease attacking the young plants. Artificially planted plantations in various areas of rainforest have been decimated by insects.
Image via Wikipedia
Analysis of tree distribution shows that although trees are closely packed within the rainforest, there is usually considerable difference between trees of the same species. This is thought to be in order to prevent the passing of disease from one tree to the next by insects.
So, new trees within the rain forest don’t grow too close to other trees of the same species. They leave a gap which could help to protect them from insect born disease.
Something needs to be done quickly to preserve these beautiful and largely unexplored areas of our planet, because without them we may soon find that we all suffocate from lack of oxygen.
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Post CommentBetty Carew
On April 25, 2009 at 5:48 am
Awesome article Louie. Great piece on a very serious subject. This problem with the rain forest have been going on for quite a while but it’s not stopping the decimation by mankind.
Daisy Peasblossom
On April 25, 2009 at 7:35 am
The Amazonian rain forests get a lot of attention, probably because it is one of the largest areas of rain forest remaining. Areas in Oregon also qualify as “rain forest”. I agree that deforestation is a serious issue; our planet has already seen too much of it. We need to look after the trees in our own areas as well as those of our neighbor.
Christine Ramsay
On April 25, 2009 at 8:32 am
A very informative article. A good reminder to us that we need to look after our trees. Good work.
Christine
B.S. Kitty
On April 25, 2009 at 10:29 am
Excellent article.
Catelin Hoover
On April 25, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Wow! What a great article! Enjoyed it for the pictures and learned from it from your content.
George W Whitehead
On April 25, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Another great article, Louie. I have no jokey comments to make on this one, the subject is too serious!
Lex92
On April 25, 2009 at 9:32 pm
that is definitely a scary thought…
Ruby Hawk
On April 26, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Saving all the green spaces should be every nations first agenda. There is nothing as important if we want to save our planet for our children and grandchildren. It will soon be too late.
Nicholas Kenney
On April 28, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Mankind just won’t stop destroying the planet until it’s too late…I wonder what these fools think they’ll be able to do with the money they make selling the wood from these trees if they can’t breathe anymore… DUH!! You did a great job on this Louie.
Glynis Smy
On April 30, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Interesting article,it is a serious issue. You covered it well.
kate smedley
On May 1, 2009 at 11:43 am
Very good article on a serious issue.
papaleng
On May 2, 2009 at 12:11 am
a very interesting article with a noteworthy message.
valli
On May 2, 2009 at 5:31 am
Interesting article.
nutuba
On May 2, 2009 at 10:58 am
Great message — we need to be good stewards over what we’ve been given. Nicely done!